Ottawa Township (part 1 of 23)

Ottawa Township

Ottawa township was organized in March, 1835, with a limited number of people who had settled in the township during the previous two years. One of the first white settlers in the township was Geoi-ge Agner, who came here in the year 1832 and, the following year, settled on a farm east of Ottawa. William Galbreath settled on the farm adjoining Ottawa in the same year. Mr. Galbreath served in the War of 18 12 and was present at the battle of Fort Meigs. William and Jonathan Y. Sackett, Henry Crawfis, Meridith Parish, Henry Ridenour, James Parish and Christian Huber are numbered with the pioneers of this township.

The first election for township officers was held at Michael Row's tavern, April 6, 1835. At this election the following officers were elected: George Agner, William Galbreath and Joseph Adgate, trustees ; Michael Row, treasurer; William Sackett, clerk; William Bowman, constable; Michael Row and William Galbreath, supervisors; Meridith Parish and Samuel Clark, overseers of the poor; Michael Row and Samuel Runyan, fence viewers. The first justices of the peace were elected on May 5, 1835, John Cox and William- Williams being chosen to fill this office.

offices were prominent in the affairs of the township and its most substantial citizens. It is noteworthy that some of the men filled more than one office, owing to the fact that the township was sparsely settled at this early date.

The first school held in the township was taught by Christian Huber. It was held in a log cabin located northeast of the present waterworks of Ottawa. Mr. Huber was of German birth, well educated and took a prominent part in the early political affairs of the county. His pupils were a mixed assemblage of youths, a number of Indian boys being enrolled under him. The Indian boys, however, were loth to attend school regularly and frequently "played hookey," to hunt and fish.

The "first tavern was built of hewed logs and was kept by Michael Row. This tavern was well patronized by early travelers and early meetings of the citizens were held here to discuss matters pertaining to the welfare of the township and the early settlers. The first saw-mill was located on the Blanchard river a short distance west of the Glandorf bridge. It was built by James Adgate and was well patronized by the early settlers, there being few saw-mills in the county at this time and a plentiful supply of timber.

Since this was a famous settlement of the Indians, it need only be mentioned that the forests were full of wild game and the rivers afforded excellent fishing. Bears, deer, wolves, wild turkeys, and all kinds of small game were to be found here in abundance before the Indians gave it up as their hunting ground.

The town of Ottawa was laid out by Aughinbaugh and Barnett in June, 1834. It was the site of the old Indian town of Lower Tawa, named after the tribe of Indians who had a reserve of about twenty-eight sections of land in this township. In 1832 the Indians sold this tract of land to the United States, and left for that part of the Indian territory which at present is a part of Kansas. The original town plat consisted of only one hundred and twenty-eight lots. This subject will be taken up more fully in another chapter.

The present township officers are as follows : Justices of the peace, E. F. Wieser and John Cowan ; trustees, John E. Reinman, Joseph Klausing and John Diemer; clerk, J. A. Missler; treasurer, Harry Nienberg; constable, Erank Recker.

Ottawa

The site where the village of Ottawa now stands was once a center of the Indian tribes of northeastern Ohio, but before the village proper was laid out, the Indians had bidden adieu to their once-famous abode. At the time the first settlers came to this part of the state to make permanent settlements, which was around 1825-30, there were but few Indians making their home in Tawa village. The Indians had ceded their reservation to the white man and were transferred to their new reservation in Kansas. However, only about two-thirds of them ever reached their new home, as they died of smallpox contracted on their journey. They were transferred to their new reservation under the management of a Mr. HoUister, of Perrysburg, who was the government's agent at that time.

No startling events are characterized by the creation of the new hamlet and but little more than ordinary interest can be aroused by this discussion, outside of the recital of a few historical facts. A few Indians remained here as late as 1836-39, but they were friendly to the white man, and incidents have even been related where the white man stayed with the Indian until suitable quarters could be provided for his family.

In the early part of the year 1833 a few families came to what had been until that time a reservation of the Ottawa Indians. In June of the following year Messrs. Aughenbaugh and Barnett laid out the town as a hamlet. They gave it the name of Ottawa in honor of the tribe of red men who had occupied a few "shacks" constituting the Tawa village, located on what is now commonly called the Green. John and David Cox, C. T. Pomeroy, William Galbreath, Michael Row, Mr. Williams and Samuel Runyan and their families were about the only settlers here at this time and constituted almost the entire citizenship of the hamlet for several years. But slowly the hamlet was gathering in the sturdy and honest settlers who a short time later were going to be the strong force behind this village to make it the center of the county; the Indian tepee was gradually giving way to the- log cabin and civilization was beginning to claim, this fertile land which was soon to serve a better purpose than being the hunting grounds of the Indian.

In 1834, when Ottawa was laid out, there were only five families in the place, those of John and David Cox, C. T. Pomeroy, William Galbreath and Michael Row. In addition, there were two men by the name of Williams and Runyan. At this late day, it is impossible to trace the growth of the

Michael Row built the first cabin on the site of Ottawa in May, 1834. This rude cabin served as the first tavern and became noted as a public house to all who had occasion to visit this section of the state. Many of the most eminent men of Ohio gathered around its festive board and drank the hard cider and still harder whiskey which the genial proprietor served to his guests. Row kept the tavern until his death and the old tavern, built more than four score years ago, is still standing. It was weather-boarded in 1877 and is now occupied by Falke & Kerner, monument dealers. The first frame house in the town was built by William Williams, a short time after Row erected his tavern.

The first postoffice was established in 1837 and was called Buckeye. This was made necessary because there was another postoffice by the name of Ottawa in the state. Buckeye continued to be the name of the postoffice until 1862, when, through the efforts of Dr. C. M. Godfrey, the name was changed to Ottawa. Dr. C. M. Godfrey was the first postmaster and Capt. F. S. Godfrey was the village postmaster a few years later. Several years later, Captain Godfrey became treasurer of the county.

Early Growth

John Cox has the honor of being the first merchant in Ottawa and opened a general store in 1835. Dr. C. P. Pomeroy, the first physician, began to practice here in 1835. Dr. C. M. Godfrey came here in 1837 and studied under Doctor Pomeroy. In 1854 Doctor Pomeroy laid out the first addition to the town. The prospect of the building of the Dayton & Michigan railroad caused an increase in population at this time, and the town began to exerience its first boom. Additions were laid out in 1858, 1859 and in 1865, the additions the latter 3-ears embracing a large portion of the eastern part of the town.

On July 4, 1859, the railroad between Dayton and Toledo was completed and this event was celebrated in a manner befitting the occasion. This vear may be taken as the beginning of a new era in the history of Ottawa and from this time the town began to plan to get the county seat moved from Kalida to this place. Seven years were to elapse before this much-desired change was made and these seven years saw the rising village take on the

During the Civil AA'ar everything was quiet, but with the moving of the county seat from Kalida, in the fall of 1866, the town began to grow. All of the lawyers and many of the best people of Kalida moved to the new county seat and between 1866 and 1870 the population of Ottawa more than doubled. With this influx of people, a new energy was developed, and a new era inaugurated. The frolicsome pig was soon to seek a wallow on some other than the principal business streets and the family geese to find a roosting place other than the sidewalk in front of the business houses. In 1866 a newspaper was launched in the town and many new business enterprises were established. Among these may be mentioned the following: Cobb, Pierce & Squires, dry goods ; Cox, Bressler & Company, dry goods ; Godfrey & Row, tavern; C. Wormsley, shoe shop; G. W. Brown, ashery; W. T. Soper, cabinet shop ; David Cox, saw-mill ; McCurdy & Allen, saw-mill ; George B. Fuller, physician; T. J. Logan and J. B. Woodruff, lawyers; Col. J. L. H. Long, civil engineer; J. L. Olney, merchant. It may be mentioned in passing, that Mr. Olney is the only one of all of these early merchants who is now living. He is spending his declining days in the town where he began his career as a merchant three score years ago.

First Churches And Schools

The first church erected in Ottawa was that of the United Brethren and this denomination still uses it as a house of worship. The first school house was a rude log structure erected in 1836. The first school teacher was Priscilla Compton, who afterwards became the wife of Isaac McCracken, a pioneer citizen of Kalida. The only other school in the township before that time was taught by Cliristian Huber in his cabin a short distance east of Ottawa. As the years went by, better educational facilities were demanded and today Ottawa boasts of three excellent school buildings.

More Recent Growth

The growth of the town was steady from this time and, unlike some of the towns which spring up and flourish for a short time and then die out, this village was destined to be the leading metropohs in the county. Through the efforts of Doctor Pomeroy is largely due the construction of the Dayton & Michigan railroad through Ottawa. This was completed and trains run in

November, 1859. The Findlay, Ft. Wayne & Western was completed and rtains have run since 1894. The Detroit, Toledo & Ironton was constructed in 1896. At present Ottawa has three railroads and an electric line, which gives her all the transportation facilities required.

Public Buildings

The first court house was completed and the first court held was in 1868. However, court was held here the year previous. This was a brick structure and did credit to the times. The present court house is a beautiful and imposing edifice and no county seat in Ohio of the same size can boast of such a modern building. It is a three-story structure with all of the modern conveniences, includirig elevator, assembly room for public meetings, rest rooms and fully equipped rooms for all of the different county officials.

The first county jail, was constructed in 1869 and was replaced by the present structure in 1900. The present building is located across the street from the court house and is very modern and well equipped for the needs of the lawless unfortunates.

Water Works

The Ottawa water works was completed in the year 1904. In 1892 the Legislature adopted the municipal code and created the board of public affairs. The first board appointed in Ottawa consisted of the following enterprising citizens: George D. Hamden, Dr. H. Huber, and George D. Kinder, the latter being chosen as the president of the board. Doctor Huber served for one year, when he resigned, and W. H. Harber was appointed to fill the vacancy. Subsequently Messrs. Kinder, Hamden and Rauh were elected for two years and have filled the office up to the present time, being reelected every two years. Through the efforts of these three men the present water works system was installed. The water works is located in the city park, which is on the east side of the town. This park is a very pretty amusement place for a village of this size. Numerous cages of animals and birds have been placed here and it is fitted up for the amusement of the children.

Ottawa also has an excellent volunteer fire department and is the equal of any volunteer company in this section of the state. They have given good service on many occasions and have even made runs to different towns in the county which were in distress. On one occasion two of the firemen

Th opera house furnishes an excellent place for amusements and social gatherings. The armory is another imposing structure which the citizens of this village may well be proud of.

The industries consist of a tile factory, elevator and milling company, creamery, lumber yards, two cigar factories and numerous smaller industries.

The people of the town are accommodated with four churches, the Methodist Episcopal, Roman Catholic, United Brethren and Presbyterian. These churches are well attended and speak well for the religious interests of the community.

The roads leading into Ottawa are macadamized and graveled and there are four iron bridges within the limits of Ottawa spanning the Blanchard river.

Ottawa's business is conducted through the Bank of Ottawa Company and the First National Bank. The following is a directory of the business houses at the present time :

Fraternities - Free and Accepted Masons f lodge, chapter and council), Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Knights of the Maccabees, Modern Woodmen of America, Reindeers, Royal Arcanum,

The Sugar Beet Industry

The largest factory in Putnam county is the sugar beet factory in Ottawa, a plant which cost more than a quarter of a million dollars and was operated for only two seasons. The inception of the factory dates back to 191 1, when some men came to the county for the purpose of seeking a location for such a factory. So enthusiastic were they over the possibilities of making a sugar beet factory a profitable undertaking in the county that they were soon able to convince the people of Ottawa and the county that they should assist in making the establishment of a factory an assured thing.

Before the close of 1911 the citizens of Ottawa had entered into an agreement with the Ottawa Sugar Beet Company, in which they agreed to raise for the company eight thousand dollars and guarantee the planting of one thousand acres of beets the first year. The money was expended for land south of the Blanchard river, located in the Cover-Matthews-Rice addition. Thirty-four acres were secured and turned over to the company. In turn, the company agreed to erect and equip a plant and operate it for a period of five years. In case they did not live up to their part of the agreement the property was to revert to the citizens who had voluntarily subscribed the eight thousand dollars. Although the plant was operated only two years, the company did not turn the plant over, and just who really does own it at the present time is for the court to decide. In the spring of 1915 the plant was advertised for sale to cover delinquent taxes, but no one had the courage to assume the responsibility of taking it on their hands.

A mammoth building was erected in 191 1 -12 and was ready to handle the 19 1 2 crop of beets. General Manager Martine was placed in charge of the plant and during the first season manufactured a million and a half pounds of sugar. This amount was increased by a third the second year and there did not appear any good reason why the plant was not a success in every wa}\ However, strange things will happen.

At the close of the second season the plant was closed down and the Imge building has remained deserted ever since. AVhen it ^^'ill be opened for business again no one seems to know, nor is there any certainty that it will ever be operated again. In addition to the manufacture of sugar, a man from fronton, Ohio, put in a hundred-thousand-dollar equipment for taking care of the by-products. He made a kind of stock food, which found a ready sale in the market and he was apparently making a success of his business at the time the factory closed. He had to be content with getting out of the business with the experience he gained, since his investment was a complete loss on his hands when the factory ceased operation.

During the two years the factory was in operation, Ottawa enjoyed a reign of prosperity which it had never before known. Many men found employment in the factory and many more secured work in raising the beets. Scores of Belgians came into the county and found ready employment with farmers. Most of them were unmarried men and traveled from farm to farm in wagons which they had fitted up in such a manner that they could live in them. They contracted with many farmers to take entire charge of their crop, from planting to harvesting, for which they received eighteen dollars an acre. One man could not tend much more than fi\'e acres alone and hence it was necessary to secure additional help if the farmer was- going to raise anything else except tomatoes. The profit to the farmer varied from iifty to a hundred dollars an acre and probably averaged seventy-five dollars an acre.

Only an unrefined brown sugar was manufactured and, strange to say, the company refused to sell a pound of the sugar to any one in the county. Most of the sugar was shipped to Cincinnati and distributed from that city. The amount of sugar derived from a ton of beets varied considerably, ranging from one hundred to two hundred pounds. Each load of beets was tested for its sugar value and the farmer was paid accordingly to the amount of sugar which it was supposed his beets would yield. The farmer received on an average of five dollars a ton for his beets.

At the same time that the local factory was in operation many farmers shipped their beets out of the county. Most of them went to factories in Toledo and Findlay, the Toledo company having a buying station at Continental. Many reasons have been advanced in explanation of the shuttingdown of the factory, but no two persons can agree as to what the real facts in the case are. Some have said that the machinery which was installed was second-hand and was not capable of making the company a reasonable profit. Others say that the tariiT was to blame and that the Democratic party must shoulder the responsibility; still others maintain that the tariff has nothing to do with the matter - that the men in it simply fleeced the people out of their money and left for greener pastures. The facts as they stand now are very evident : the factory still stands and is ready to operate at any time, but no one knows whose factory it is. Within the next year the courts will establish the status of the factory and the people of Ottawa and Putnam county

Postmasters Of Ottawa

Due to the fact that there was another Ottawa in Ohio in 1837, the postoffice at Ottawa, Putnam county, was called Buckeye from the establishment of the office in 1837 to 1862. In the latter year C. M. Godfrey succeeded in having the postoffice department at Washington, change it to Ottawa. C. M. Godfrey was appointed postmaster upon its establishment in 1837, but it has not been possible to get the other postmasters up to i860. The complete list since i860 is as follows : August Schierloh, James R. Clark, James Godwin, Hiram Raff, T. D. Campbell, J. J. Zeller, J. C. Light, H. L. M"cDowell, Allan Graham, and G. F. Zeller, the present incumbent.

Finances Of The Town Of Ottawa

The last annual report of the financial conditions of the town of Ottawa gives a detailed statement of all receipts and expenditures for the year 19 14. The present officers of the town are as follows : T. ¥. McElroy, mayor ; H. C. Gerding, clerk; J. W. Paden, treasurer; Edward Klausing, marshal; W. J. Graham, A. T. Fox, George Schulien, Herman McDougle, C. J. Kerner and J. H. Westrick, councilmen ; G. D. Hamden, H. F. Rauh and G. D. Kinder, board of public affairs. Josejjh Kersting is clerk of the board of public affairs.

The money derived from fees and taxes is divided into six funds, as follows : general, safety, service, health, sinking and water. The receipts and expenditures of these various funds for the year ending December 31, 1914, are as follows:

The town treasury had a balance of $4,565.21 left over from the previous year, which accounts for the balance at the end of 1914. The bonded indebtedness of the town is divided among five items, to-wit :

The salaries of the main town officials are nominal, the mayor drawing only two hundred dollars a year. The salaries of the other town officers are as follows: Clerk, $260; treasurer, $250; sohcitor, $150; councilmen, $42 ; marshal, $480 ; night watch, $480.

Rev. Mr. Horstmann, a native of Prussia, left the Fatherland in August, 1833, and arrived in New York in November following. Father Horstmann and his companion, John F. Kahle, left Detroit on November 27 in search of a suitable location on which to found his proposed colony. Bordering on the banks of the Blanchard river they found excellent timberland and, in January, 1834, they determined on purchasing a tract of it from the government. The names of the pioneers who came in February are : A. Iburg, Christian Strop, J. Wischmann, Ferdinand Bredeick, Matthias Bockrath and William Gulcher.

The colonists erected log cabins and these were provided with only the barest necessities of life. In laying out the village of Glandorf, the pioneers held very closely to the custom of the Province of Osnabruck, Germany, whence its founders came. There is but one street deserving the name and that extends over a mile north and south. This street is lined on either side with the quaint, durable and homelike houses of the villagers with their spacious and well-kept yards, the street being interspersed here and there with a few stores and shops. The early industries of Glandorf were shoemaking, woolen-mill, wooden-shoe manufactory and saw-mills, and it is well to note that in 1837 Father Horstmann built the first grist-mill in the village of Glandorf for the accommodation of the early settlers.

The early records fail to record the date of the first platting, but, on January 20, 1877, by an order of the court, it was re-surveyed and the lots were numbered. The village had no municipal form of government until August 7, 1 89 1, when it was incorporated as a town, with William Altekruse, ma)'or; F. W. Hoffman, clerk; Joseph Nienberg, treasurer; Fred Franke, marshal ; John Smith, street commissioner ; W. F. Hofifman, Henry Kemper, Henry Merseman, Dr. A. Borman, B. F. Wortkoetter and Joseph Winkleman, councilmen.

Glandorf for many years was a great boot and shoe center of the county and boasts of the only woolen-mills in the county. The flouring-mill at Glandorf bears the distinction of being- the first in the state using the system of rollers known as the Allfree system, which were put in by Mr. Nartker. This little village also boasts of a large bending works, operated by F. N. Ellis, and a planing-mill, but on the night of Aug'ust 2, 1901, fire was discovered in the planing-mill and before assistance could be called it had made such headway that it was impossible to extinguish. The loss was twenty-five thousand dollars and this was a very severe shock to the town. At present the Americanized German village is well represented in all the different lines of business and does an extensive trade with the surrounding farmers. The population in 1910 was five htmdred and fifty-eight.

The present ofiicers are : Mayor, P. A. Missler ; clerk, J. A. Missler ; treasurer, B. A. Nienberg; marshal, Ferd Gulker; councilmen, G. H. Mersman, Moritz Harman, J. W. Halker, Fred Franke, Aug Nartker and Charles Mallifske.

New Cleveland is a small hamlet lying three miles north of Ottawa. Its postoffice is called Brickner. One store and a few houses make up the settlement.

Ottawa township was the most populous township in the county during the war and furnished the most volunteers, although there is no way of determining the exact number. The only record preserved of Ottawa township gives the volunteers enlisting between July 2 and August 22, 1862. During this short period of fifty days fifty-six men enrolled in the township, as is shown by the report of the assessor, F. W. Deters. The list follows : John Shondel, C. W. Cannon, Daniel Wagner, Charles W. Creighton, John Ward, Cyrus Taylor, George Lutz, Jacob Crow, Abraham Kitchen, W. W. Kitchen, Harry Radabaugh, Worth Watts, John Smith, James McComb, John Fruchey, Henry Fruchey, Prescott Wright, Henry Crum, George Morhead, John Bolzer, John Hart, John Walker, James Sackett, G. S. Rollans (not accepted), Thomas Shyrer, A. A. Ebersole, Joshua T. Cox, George Riegel, W H. Andrews, E. K. Allen, J. T. Lenzy, John Winkler, I. Willoughby, George Kurtz, Paul Silvers, David Amlir, Berel Andrews, Henry May, Jacob Dommino (not accepted), John Henry Vogt, Samuel Wallace, John Wallace, James McGerry, J. M. Hall, Cornelius McCullough, A. Fowler (not accepted), E. D. Harris, Jacob L'H. Long, Philip Nougle, Cyrus Taylor, John A. Lenhard, William Dickey, John M. Hawkey, Winfield S. Hipkins, Henry Meisner and John Murphy.

H. F. Beach, wagon maker; C. E. Beardsley, physician; John Beck, dry goods, etc.; R. J. Beeney, baker and grocery; J. S. Bowers, furniture; Andrew Brinkman, blacksmith; Sarah Buahler, milliner; Burkmier & Gosling, saddlers; C. M. Carson, hotel; Carnahan & Ault, builders; Mrs. M. Cover' milliner; M. C. & J. P. Ewing, produce; Foltz & Taylor, marble; John Fipp,' groceries; Samuel F. Foltz, livery; Freese & Raff, dry goods; Joseph Gerdmg, harness; F. S. Godfrey, baker and grocery; N. Goetchius, foundry- Mrs. J. Goldsmith, grocery; N. M. Haviland, groceries and provisions; J. S. Hale, furniture; A. J. Hamilton, tinner; Thomas H. B. Hipkins, groceries and produce; Thomas H. B. Hipkins & Sons, dry goods and groceries; Holtz, Goetchius & Co., manufacturers hubs, etc.; Kelly & Hauck, drugs ; George D. Kinder, printing; J. C. and H. F. Knowles, insurance; Laskey, ' Pratt & Campbell, stoves, etc.; Frank Lassance, clothing; Lentzy & Willoughby, merchant tailors; David Lowery, hardware; McBride & Humberger, steam mill; McCoy, Slauson & Co., dry goods and groceries; Miles & Son, builders; A. S. Miller, contractor; Misner & Brockman, boots and shoes; Lyman M.' Moe, physician; J. T. Moorehead, books, notions; Newman & Co., dry goods; Freeman F. Paul, physician; E. Pomeroy, groceries and notions; C. H. Rice & Co., bankers; Michael Row, hotel; Charles Schimpff, jeweler; William Schmitschulte, groceries; Mrs. F. Sargent, milliner; Samuel Shoup! drugs; John P. Simon, groceries and provisions; Slausson, Ewing & Cox, bankers; Slawson & Ewing, real estate dealers; J. R. Thompson, photographer and picture; C. E. Tupper, physician; Lycurgus Willoughby, hotel.

Joseph C. Forrier, groceries and dry goods; Gerhart Otte, dry goods and groceries; Charles Wannemacher, shoemaker; Mathias Winkleman, dry goods and grocery.

Joe Keinie, dry goods and groceries; John Lacont, grocery; James Mc- Bride, tailor; J. C. Snyder, dry goods and groceries; Mark Thompson, general store.

The Story Of Johnny Appleseed

Who has not heard of Johnny Appleseed? He spent his hfe in the woods, wore cast-off clothes, tramped the year around in his bare feet, had httle or no money and died in comparative obscurity and yet did more to promote the raising of apples in the state of Ohio than any other man. The fruit he was responsible for raising would fill millions of bushel baskets.

Johnny Appleseed for years wandered through Ohio planting apple seeds, collected at cider mills and carried in a little sack over his shoulder, in practically every cleared tract he could find. Often he would clear pieces of land in the heart of the wilderness and plant either sprouts or seeds. So well known did he become that people forgot his real name was John Chapman and called him by his soubriquet.

Johnny Appleseed was born in 1775, at Springfield, Massachusetts, the son of Nathaniel Chapman, and came with his half brother to Ohio in 1801. Soon afterward a desire to wander and develop apple orchards struck the young man and, abandoning civilization, he set forth. As early as 181 1 he had become known all over the state and before he left it to go west, where the ax of the pioneer was not heard, he was probably the best known man in the state. Few communities did not boast of orchards planted by his hands. He died in Allen county, Ohio, in the summer of 1847, aged seventy-two years, forty-six of which had been consecrated to his selfimposed mission.

Johnny Appleseed was a man of many manias. He abhorred the extinction of all forms of life. One time, when lying before his fire in the woods, he saw that gnats and mosquitoes were flying to their death in the flames. He promptly arose, extinguished the fire and permitted himself tO' be bitten all night by the pests. At another time he sought shelter from cold and snow in a hollow log, which he found occupied by a bear and her cubs. He quickly withdrew and laid in the snow and cold all night. At another time he accidentally killed a rattlesnake which had bitten him. Heblamed it on an ungodly passion.

Johnny Appleseed was an apostle of Swedenborg, whose literature he distributed among the people he met. Once, when his supply had become exhausted, he tore his only remaining book in two and gave one part to eachof the two men with whom he was talking.

Johnny Appleseed Visits The Reservation

While the early settlers found a number of good-sized apple trees on the reservation when they first came here, no one of our pioneer citizens knew of Johnny's visits prior to the year 1833, when he came down the river in a canoe laden with young apple trees. It is stated that wherever he could find a white settler he would furnish him with trees without regard to the settler's ability or disposition to pay for the same. His last trip down the Blanchard was in the year 184 1. The history of this remarkable man and great philanthropist is so well known . throughout Ohio, especially in the northwest portion of the state, that it is not necessary to give it in detail here. Many years ago the writer of this history interviewed a large number of the pioneer citizens of the county in regard to events and incidents connected with its early history. Among those interviewed was Mr. Brower, who settled on the banks of the Blanchard river, in Greensburg township.' Among the incidents Mr. Brower related was one referring to Johnny Appleseed, who figured as a "tourist" in this part of the state from the close of the war of 1812 and for some twenty years after. The present generation is no doubt familiar with the eccentricities of this man and the life he led, therefore we well but briefly notice one of his visits to this at which time he paid a visit to Mr. Brower, who states that during the visit Johnny exhibited his usual characteristics or eccentricities of habits. While on this visit he brought with him a big supply of apple seeds, which were encased in pumice from cider-mills in western Pennsylvania, the source of his supply. Johnny made it a business to plant these seeds on available spot along the Blanchard river and in a few years afterward the early pioneers gathered many apples from the trees grown from the seed planted by Johnny, and a number of the trees bore fruit for many years after the organization of the county. When he planted the seed he usually put some brush around the spot to protect the young trees, yet as the was^ cleared up and brush burned, many of the young trees were destroyed.

Early Taverns

Prior to 1850 there were many taverns in Putnam county, and places for the entertainment of man and beast were located about every three miles along the roads generally traveled in those days. In every small village two or more taverns existed. In Gilboa, in 1847-1850, taverns were kept by Matthias Chambers, Wilham McClure, William Hipkins and Christtan Hensy, while in Kalida taverns were kept by Arthur E. Martin, William Phillips, James H. Vail, T. R. McClure and Mr. Foss. It was a common -custom then to have bars, where liquor was sold at the modest sum of five cents per drink. Then there was only a state tax of five dollars a year for the privilege of dispensing strong drinks-, no revenue or county tax being required. Beer and ale were not then a common beverage.

An Early Distillery

There was one distillery of whisky in the county. It was known as Ash distillery, located in Jennings township, near the canal. It is common report that often, when government revenue officers were expected to call, weights would be put on barrels of liquor which were sunk in the canal, until after Uncle Sam's men had gone. A few years ago a barrel was found in the canal, after being there many years. It is supposed that this one was overlooked and forgotten by the owners. Of course canal whisky is always good.

County Expenses In 1849

The county commissioners' report for the year ending June 4, 1849, certifies that the amount paid prosecuting attorney, for one year's salary, was $108.33; P^^d clerk of courts, yearly allowance, $43.33; paid for stationery, during year, $49.50; paid for postage by the county for all officials, $2.83; paid for wolf scalps, $39; auditor's salary, $499; treasurer's salary, $489.38.

In the year 1849, the three county commissioners received sixty dollars for per diem allowances. These items show how expenses have increased in sixty-six years.

Kalida Market, March, 1 847

For purposes of comparison, the following market quotations are reproduced from the Kalida Venture of March, 1847: Wheat, per bushel, 75 cents; corn, per bushel, 25 cents; oats, per bushel, 15 cents; clover seed, per bushel, $3.00; timothy seed, per bushel, $1.00; flax seed, per bushel, 62 cents; beans, per bushel, 75 cents; potatoes, per bushel, 25 cents; pork, pickled, per pound, 4 cents; beef, fresh, per pound, 4 cents; butter, per pound, 9 cents ; lard, per pound, 6 cents ; ham, per pound, 6 cents ; tallow, per pound, ID cents; maple sugar, per pound, 10 cents; eggs, per dozen, 5 cents.

Cholera At Gilboa In 1852

In 1852, during the epidemic of cholera, Gilboa was the worst afflicted illage in the county. It had nineteen cases of the dread disease, from which fourteen deaths occurred, only five persons who had the disease recovering. A great many of the people fled from the village, and only two doctorsremained to administer to the afflicted. One of these two was Dr. T. E. Paul and the other Doctor Thatcher, a Hungarian by birth, who died with the disease at the time.

Early Liquor Violations

The contention now in regard to the liquor question is not a new thing,, or "boot-legging" a hew species of crime under the laws of this state. Eightyone years ago (1834), at the first term of court ever held in this county, the first grand jury convened brought in six indictments, four of which were "for selling spirits without a license." The first criminal case in the first court was for this offense, and the dispenser of the spirits was fined twenty-five dollars and costs. In those days a license to traffic in liquor was required and the amount of the license was five dollars. Upon the adoption of the new Constitution in 1851-52 the license law became obsolete and a penalty was prescribed for the sale of liquor and everyone selling it laid himself liable to a fine. This condition existed up to the time of the enactment of the law requiring dealers to pay a tax. Up to this latter date nearly every grand jury indicted from one to a dozen saloon keepers. They were each fined about twenty-five dollars and costs for each offense, which waspaid and the dealer proceeded in the business until the next court convened,, when in many instances he was again indicted and paid his fine. In some cases, a term in the county jail was added to the fine.

An Early Postmaster Of Gilboa

In looking over some old documents in our possession we came acrossthe followmg letter, written by the second assistant postmaster-general to Hon. William Sawyer, notifying Mr. Sawyer of the appointment of Stansberry Sutton as postmaster at Gilboa, this county, with Mr. Sawyer's letter to Mr. Sutton informing him of his appointment :

Dec. loth, 1845. "Sir - I have the honor to inform you that the postmaster-general has appointed Stansberry Sutton postmaster at Gilboa, in the state of Ohio, in place of J. E. Creighton, resigned. I am respectfully your obedient servant,

There are very few of our older citizens who do not remember Stansberry Sutton, one of the most highly respected and prominent citizens of Gilboa and Ottawa for many years, and who died in Ottawa in the year 1879, after a long and useful life.

In 1852 a resident of Kalida invented a rat trap which is duly mentioned in the Venture at that time : "The trap consisted of a hollow stick, about seven feet long, closed at one end, and after putting some grain and litter in it he set the trap in his hay mow and covered it with hay. The next morning he plugged the hole in the trap, and carried it out and killed the rats." The inventor claimed that the trap was a great success.

The Wolf Scalp Industry

During the early history of Putnam county, many wolves infested the county as well as the other counties in this part of the state. At that time the state paid a bounty for the scalps of wolves, and the early pioneers were industrious in hunting them. The money they received for the scalps was certainly a blessing to them in those days, as money was very scarce and what was received from this source paid taxes and afforded now and then a better living in several respects. All scalps had to be presented to the clerk of the court, who issuecl an order on the county treasurer for the amount. The order called for four dollars and twenty-five cents for each scalp. Persons presenting scalps had to swear that they killed the wolves.. The following is a sample of the affidavits required to be made :

"You, George Sweiger, do solemnly swear that the scalps now produced by you are the scalps of wolves taken by you within the county of Putnam, within twenty days last past, and verily believe the same to have been under the age of six months, and that you have not spared the life of any she wolf within your power to kill, with a view to increase the breed.

The George Sweiger above mentioned was quite a success as a wolf hunter, as he presented many of the scalps of wolves killed at various times. During the period from 1834 to 1836, many wolves were killed in this county, and about a hundred were killed during the year 1834. Many persons killed only a single wolf, while others seemed to make it a business.

Among those drawing the most money during the year 1834, for wolf scalps, were the following: George Sweiger, $60; William Kenny, $42.75; John Woods, $26.75; Andrew Clawson, $20; John Elder, $21.25; John Mc- Gill, $15; Joseph Nichols, $15; Leonard Sweiger, $12.50; John Neill, $9,25, and George Blessing, $7.50.

Miles Crow, many years ago a resident of Greensburg township, was a great hunter and was possibly the last man in the county to trap or kill wolves. He was successful in killing more wolves than any other man, after the year 1840.

An incident is related of one of Ottawa's first settlers wherein about every male citizen of that time became very much excited. In March of 1835, a man who lived at the river bank -on the west side of what is now known as Walnut .street, had a barn yard where now is located the old wheel works. He had in the yard a flock of sheep. The snow had been deep on the ground for nearly a month. A pack of wolves came across the river and made a raid on the sheep. About every man in the village turned out to fight the wolves. In the fight two valuable dogs were killed by the wolves.

while but a few of the wolves were captured. The owner of the dogs greatly regretted their loss, as in that day a good hunting dog was valued at a greater price than an entire flock of sheep.

The First School On The Reservation

The first school taught on the Indian reservation was held in a part of a double log cabin owned by Christian Huber. This cabin was located on. the farm now owned by Mr. Miller, and situated immediately north of the. present waterworks plant. Miss Priscilla Compton taught the first school in the first school house in Ottawa, that being located immediately north of the residence for a time occupied by Thomas Carnahan. This school house was built of logs, the seats and desks were made of slabs, and the floor was. of puncheons.

Selecting Postmasters In 1845

It is not generally known that the people of the various towns of Putnam county helped to select their postmasters seventy years ago. Such, however, appears to have been the case, if the report given in a local paper is to be believed. The following extract from the Kalida Venture tells its own story:

"In pursuance to notice heretofore given the Democratic citizens transacting their business through the Postoffice at Kalida met at the office of Ben Metcalf and proceeded to nominate a suitable person to be recommended to the Postmaster General to fill the vacancy in the Postoffice at Kalida to be occasioned by the resignation of M. M. Gillett the present incumbent :

There seems to have been considerable discussion in the local newspapers concerning the first iron bridge in the county. From the best evidence obtainable it appears that it was built over the Blanchard at Cuba in Greensburg township. The Auglaize and Blan chard rivers, with their many tributaries, have necessitated the building of a large number of expensive bridges. There are no less than five bridges across the Blanchard at Ottawa, although the county built three of them, the others being erected by the steam and electric roads which come into the town. The county has built fourteen iron bridges over the Blanchard river and eight across the Auglaize; in addition, there are scores of bridges across the many tributaries of the two larger streams of the county. It is not too much to say that the spanning of the rivers and streams of Putnam county has cost nearly half a million dollars within the past half century.

Early Debating Societies

In the early history of Putnam county, debates on public questions were one of the most popular features of entertainment, and debating societies were in vogue in every community where a school house existed. The Ka- Uda Venture of March 21, 1848, contains the following notice: "There will be a meeting of the Kalida Lyceum held on the evening of March 28. The question for debate will be 'Ought all laws for the collection of debts be repealed.' "

A Wonderful Rail Fence

A short time ago, John F. Clevenger, of Columbus Grove, made an interesting discovery while tearing out an old rail fence. He found no less than thirty-two different kinds of timber represented in the old fence row and the enumeration of this varied assortment of timber throws an interesting light upon the character of the early forests of Putnam county. The complete list of trees which \vere represented in this wonderful rail fence is as follows: Buckeye, native poplar, Lombardy poplar, Carolina poplar, black locust, honey locust, black ash, white ash, burr oak, red oak, white oak, jack oak, beech, sugar, maple, sycamore,, pawpaw, dogwood, ironwood, linden, willow, cottonwood, black walnut, white walnut, shellbark hickory, smoothbark hickory, white and red elm.

The colored man has never been a welcome resident in Putnam county and at the present time there are none living in the county. However, there have been a few colored people here in the past and history records that at least one colored man, by the name of Mines, voted in Blanchard township. This particular son of Africa worked for William Guy.

"Whereas Henry Wing, of Putnam County, Ohio, has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States a Certificate of the Register of The Land Office at Piqua, Ohio, whereby it appears that Full Payment has been made by the said Henry Wing according to the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 24th of April, 1820 entitled, 'An Act making further provisions for the sale of the Public Lands for The North fraction of the North half of Section fourteen, in township one North of Range six east in the district of lands offered for sale at Piqua, Ohio, containing twenty-one acres and thirty-hundredths of an acre, according to the office plat of the survey of the said lands returned to the land office by the Surveyor General,' which said tract has been purchased by the said Henry Wing.

"Now, Know Ye That the United States of America, in consideration of the promises and in conformity with the several acts of Congress in such case made and provided. Have Given and Granted, and by these presents Do Give and Grant unto the said Henry Wing and his heirs the said tract described; To have and to Hold the same, together with all the rights and privileges immunities and appertinances, of whatsoever nature Thereunto belonging, unto the said Henry Wing and to his heirs and assigns forever.

"In Testimony Whereof I, John Quincy Adams, President of the United States of America, have caused These letters to be made Patent and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto affixed. -

"Given under ray hand, at the City of Washington, The thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twentyseven and of the Independence of the United States the fifty-first.

When the present Hquor law went into effect in the fall of 19 13, there were thirty-two saloons in Putnam county. Since the number is now restricted to one for every thousand inhabitants, there are only nineteen saloons. They are distributed as follows : Five in Ottawa, two in Continental and one each in the towns of Ottoville, Ft. Jennings, Cloverdale, Gilboa, Kalida, Glandorf, Miller City and West Leipsic. In addition, there is one saloon in Monterey township and one in Jennings township. These two saloons are really in the towns of Ottoville and Ft. Jennings, respectively, but the boards of both towns changed the corporation lines so that the saloons would legally be in the township. There is a saloon in Liberty township, just outside of the corporate limits of Leipsic, and another in Pleasant township,, adjoining the corporation of Columbus Grove. Leipsic and Columbus are both "dry" as the result of local option elections.

Saloon licenses are now granted by a county liquor licensing board appointed by the governor. The first appointees for Putnam county were Frank Gmeiner and Walter Stevenson, both of whom received their commissions on April 6, 1913. Mr. Stevenson resigned on April i, 1915, his resignation takmg effect on the 15th of the same month. The members receive the nominal sum of twenty dollars a month for their services. When the law went into effect, in October, 191 3, there were thirty-two saloons in the county and fifty applications before the board for the nineteen saloons which was the limit allowed by the law. Each applicant must pay five dollars at the time of application, and, if granted, he must pay a county tax of one thousand dollars and a government tax of twenty-five dollars. A renewal or transfer costs sixty dollars.

The Greatest Flood Of Ottawa

In the latter part of March, 1913, Ottawa emerged from the greatest flood of Its history. No loss of life occurred. The hungry waters got no victims. The loss in dollars ran into hundreds of thousands. The town was swept by water many feet deep. Out of the darkness of Monday night March 24, 1913, came the rising, rushing, raging flood. Swift and sure it went high, then higher, then highest in the history of the town. Homes had to be deserted, and on Tuesday morning the town sent out a cry for help The quiet citizen saw the need of quick and daring action. As the night brings out the stars, so did the flood bring out the good there is in men No one faltered. The man from the common walks of life became the real hero. Wind, water, cold and storm were laughed at by men who met the occasion and were equal to the task. All railways were paralyzed. Boats were lacking. Travel was at a standstill. But lightning flashed a message over the wires, and soon men, boats, food and help were on the way. From Leipsic, Columbus Grove, Lima, Toledo, St. Marys and other places relief came at double quick. That it did, was a blessing, for Ottawa was in dire distress and sore need. Out of the whole situation came a spirit of humanity, heroism, and helpfulness that was almost sublime. Lives were risked to save other lives. Property was secondary and the welfare of human beings was the first concern.

Farmers came with wagon loads of supplies of food and fuel. This kindly action was of their own motion. They did not wait to be asked to help. On this Sunday morning, Ottawa has the appearance of a flood-swept town. Wreckage, debris, washouts, and a hundred tokens showed the power of little drops of water when angry and united into torrents and currents.

When Putnam county was organized in 1834, the Democratic and Whig parties were just getting definitely separated. The twenty years preceding this time had seen only one party, the Democratic, and whatever differences existed politically were personal. Adams, Jackson and Clay ran for President on the same ticket, their followers being known as Adams, Jackson or Clay men.

- In the early thirties the old Democratic party, dominated by the hero of the battle of New Orleans, began to disintegrate and by 1832 it was evident that Jackson's control of the party was fast slipping away from him. Clay, his greatest opponent, was forging to the front as a leader and seriously disputing the old warrior's leadership. It was in the midst of this new alignment of political parties that Putnam county came onto the scene of action, and both of the parties began to lay their plans to capture the township and county offices.

The history of political control in Putnam county may be very briefly summed up. The Democrats have been in complete control ever since the county was organized with the exception of a brief period when the Republicans elected three county officials. In 1852-53 there was a big effort made by the Whigs to gain control and with the aid of the disgruntled Democrats, they camie very near succeeding. A secret organization, political in nature!

known as the Knownothings, came into existence at this time, which ostensibly sought to confine all offices to native-born Americans. Several lodges were organized in Putnam county, the largest being in Gilboa, Blanchard township. To combat this organization, the Democrats organized an equal number of lodges under the name of the "Sag Nichts" or "Say Nothings." Both organizations used all the tricks of seasoned politicians, but the result terminated favorably to the Democrats in the succeeding election.

The decade preceding the Civil War was one of great strife in political matters and scores of anti-slavery Democrats left the old party and allied themselves with the new Republican party. However, the supremacy of the Democrats was never seriously threatened, in Putnam county, although its majorities were cut down. From 1855 to the opening of the war, the tension in political affairs was often at the breaking point, and it took cool heads to keep matters from degenerating into open encounters at times. Following the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska act, the Whig party went out of existence and in the two following years the Democratic party lost hundreds of thousands of its leaders in the Northern states. In Ohio the new party at first styled itself the Union party, and later hyphenated itself into the Union- Republican party. Although many of the Democrats joined the new party, there was a corresponding shift from the old Whig party to the Democrats, the defection being due to the slavery question. The net result was that the Democrats were able to maintain their hold on political affairs in the county.

While ante-bellum politics were in such a seething state, there were large political gatherings in every town and village of the county and enthusiasm often outran men's better judgment. The greatest gathering, however, occurred the second year after the close of the war. It was held in Ottawa, on September 19, 1867, and Hon. Clement L. Vallandigham was the orator of the day. The newspapers of the day said that there were twenty thousand people present and that the parade was two and a half miles in length. It consisted of decorated floats, wagons, horsemen, bands, etc., and must have been an imposing spectacle. Many big meetings have been held since then, but none to compare with this particular one in magnitude.

Like other counties in the state of Ohio, Putnam has had its Prohibition, Socialist, Progressive, Independent and People's parties, yet they ha^-e been but as "side shows" traveling with the two great parties. As has been said, the Democrats have always been in power in the county, with the exception of a short time. At one time (in the early nineties) some Democratic officials became derelict in their duties and three of them were sent to the penitentiary. The people rose up in their might and elected a Republican county treasurer.

Celebration Over The Victory Of Dewey

The most enthusiastic celebration ever held in Ottawa followed the receipt of the news of Dewey's bloodless victory at Manila bay, May i, 1898. The celebration occurred the night of May 2, and for hours bells were rung, whistles blown and general pandemonium reigned. Red-fire lighted up the main streets and a happy people gave vent to their heartfelt appreciation of Admiral Dewey and his splendid victory.

Fourth Of July Celebration

The greatest Fourth of July celebration ever held in the county occurred m 1876. Ottawa and Columbus Grove both celebrated that year and each town tried to outdo the other and get the largest crowd. For weeks before that day, both towns used every effort to advertise their attractions and a number of unusual features were promised by .the committees who had charge of affairs in the respective towns. As might be expected, Ottawa had the largest crowd, although Columbus Grove was not far behind in point of attendance. The crowd at Ottawa was estimated at from twelve to fifteen thousand people, and such another celebration was never held before or since. More noise was made, more popcorn consumed, more lemonade drunk and more powder burned on that day than any other in the history of the town.

Population Statistics Highway Statistics

The statement of road and bridge expenditures for the four years ( 1910- 19 13) discloses the fact that the county has spent nearly three hundred and fifty thousand dollars in that short time on roads and bridges. The figures for 1913 include all expenditures up to and including August 31, 19 14, paid out by the county commissioners and township trustees, exclusive of the money expended by the state.

Biographical John Edwards

In the golden sayings of Epictetus there is no nobler utterance than this - "What wouldst thou be found doing when overtaken by Death? If I might, choose, I would be found doing some deed of true humanity, of wide import, beneficent and noble. But if I may not be found engaged in j^ught so lofty, let me hope at least for this - what none may hinder, what is surely in my power-^that I may be found raising up in myself that which had fallen;, learning to deal more wisely with the things of sense; working out my own tranquillity, and thus rendering that which is due to every relation of life.

"If death surprise me thus employed, it is enough if I can stretch forth, my hands to God and say, 'The faculties which I received at Thy hands for apprehending this Thine administration, I have not neglected. As far as in me lay, I have done Thee no dishonor. Behold how I have used the senses, the primary conceptions which Thou gavest me. Have I ever laid anything, to Thy charge? Have I ever murmured at aught that came to pass, or wished it otherwise? Have I in anything transgressed the relations of life? For that Thou didst beget me, I thank Thee for that Thou hast given; for the time during which I have used the things that were Thine, it suffices me. Take them back and place them wherever Thou wilt! They were all Thine,, and Thou gavest them me. If a man depart thus minded, is it not enough?' What life is fairer or more noble, what end happier than his?"

The above impressive thoughts are suggested by a review of the life of the late John Edwards, of this county, whose passing in the year 1901 was the occasion of such general and sincere mourning throughout this whole region. In making up a history of Putnam county it would be impossible to disregard the great part which Mr. Edwards took in the industrial and financial development of the commonwealth, a part the value of which to the community the present historian hardly dare estimate, for the service whicL he gave was cumulative in its value, its effects being still widely apparent and growing in value, even as the enterprises which he promoted in his life are growing in extent. It therefore must be left to the future historian to atternpt a proper estimate of the service which Mr. Edwards rendered to his community, the present reviewer contenting himself with the presentation here of those interesting biographical facts in the career of the late deceased which now ha\'e become a part of the common interest of this people.

On other pages of this volume, in the biographical sketches relating to his elder brother, William W. Edwards, also deceased, and his surviving brother, Joseph H. Edwards, the well-known banker at Leipsic, the genealogy of the Edwards family in this country is set out at informative length and it therefore will be sufficient to say here that the late John Edwards was born in Licking county, Ohio, January 27, 1850, a son of Thomas W. and Isabel Edwards, and when but eight years of age moved with his parents to Morrow county, in the same state, the family, in the year 1861, coming to Putnam county, where they settled on a farm in section 27, Van Buren township, and there John Edwards grew to manhood, receiving the training and acquiring the unusual physical vigor which later and during his hfe of active service stood him in such good stead.

Air. Edwards' early manhood was spent on his father's farm, his larger business career not beginning until he was twenty-eight years of age. This was in 1878, in which year he purchased an interest in the stave manufacturing business of Henry and Jonas Lenhart. In 1886, the great possibilities of this business having then become apparent, the company was enlarged and Mr. Edwards, in association with his brother, William W. Edwards, I. N. Bushong, J. S. Lenhart and D. L. Critten, organized the Buckeye Stave Company, of which Joseph H. Edwards soon after became a member. The growth of this business was phenomenal, the energy and far-sighted business sagacit)- of the directors thereof soon making it one of the most extensive enterprises in this section of Ohio. Originally the company owned mills only at Leipsic, Continental and Columbus in this county, but in 1890 a mill was added at Pleasant Bend; in i)'>gi mills were located at Kalida and at Avis; in 1892 at Elm Center tHrJ- at Mancelona, Michigan, and in 1894 at Gladstone, Michigan. The business grew by leaps and bounds, until, at the time of Mr. Edwards' death in 190 1, the company owned twentythree mills in Ohio and southern Michigan and was interested in five more in the northern peninsula of Michigan, the company at that time employing more than a thousand men and being recognized as the largest stave com- pany in the world. In addition to its great manufacturing interests, the Buckeye Stave Company extensively engaged in the banking business. In 1887 the company purchased the bank at Leipsic and in 1891 established the bank at Continental, both in this county, the same being operated as private -concerns, the stock controlled by the stockholders of the stave company, the Edwards connection later extending its banking interests to Toledo and Pindlay, Ohio. In all his large and growing business activities Mr. Edwards ^ave himself unsparingly. From the very inception of this business he displayed an untiring zeal in the extension of the company's affairs, continually taking a most active and important part in the development of the business. His untimely death, on September 30, 1901, was a great blow to the company as well as a real shock to the community. Taken at the age of fifty-one, in the very prime of his life, it was difficult for many to reconcile themselves to what they regarded as his untimely departure, and he was sincerely mourned.

To the death of John Edwards the noble Epictetan concept which introduces this biography seems peculiarly applicable. He indeed had been true in all the relations of life, diligent in business, serving the Lord, and in his passing he left a memory which long shall be honored in the community which knew him so well. Though his life was one of commonplace beginnings, in its entirety it was far from commonplace. Endowed by nature with an excellent physique and a most gracious and engaging personality, he was a natural leader of men and his great business success hardly cotild have been otherwise. Greater, however, than his mere outward endowments were those fine traits of character which made him a strong and an upright man. Possessed of exceptional executive ability and far-sightedness in matters of business policy, together with a native will-power and a habit of constantly striving to do more and to do it better, he was successful in business far beyond the measure of the success of the average man. This success was not achieved, however, at the expense of character, but rather because of character. Of his honesty and sincerity much could be said, for they were essential characteristics with him. His kindliness of heart and generosity of nature were traits that endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. This generosity found expression, not only in countless private benefactions of which the public had no information, for Mr. Edwards was not one to let his right hand know what his left was doing in such matters, but colleges,

. churches and many worthy institutions found him a liberal giver. He, indeed, gave a good account "for the time during which I have used the things that were Thine," and it sufficed him. He regarded himself as a mere steward of the great worldly wealth which was given him and sought ever to govern his giving accordingly. In a quiet way he also was public-spirited and his influence was always exerted in behalf of such measures of public concern as promised the greatest advancement of the common weal, the weight of his counsels ever being on the side of the right. With quiet reticence, the charming modesty of the truly great, Mr. Edwards avoided all ostentation and, despite the power which his wealth inevitably gave him, was kindly and considerate to all, so that in his passing there was sincere mourning among all classes. Working out his own tranquillity, he thus had rendered that which is due to every relation of life.

On August 21, 1873, John Edwards was united in marriage to Mary E. Lenhart, who was born a mile west of Leipsic, in this county, the daughter of Henry S. and Adaline (Braucht) Lenhart, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania who moved to Hancock county, Ohio, in his young manhood and there married Adaline Braucht, who was born in that county, a member of one of the pioneer families. In 1854 the Lenharts came to this county and located on a farm west of the town of Leipsic, where Mrs. Lenhart died in 1869. Mr. Lenhart married a second time, taking as his wife Mrs. Anna (McConnell) Reed, and moved into Leipsic where his death occurred in 1904.

To John and Mary E. (Lenhart) Edwards were born four sons, Henry Clyde, Thomas Charles, William Earl and Oliver Pearl, the latter of whom are twms. Henry C. Edwards, who li\es on an extensive ranch in Texas, married Bertha Hadsell and has one son. Max Hadsell, now sixteen years of age. Thomas C. Edwards, who represents his late father's interest in the bank at Leipsic, married Blanche Patterson, of Manchester, Ohio, to which union were born four children, John Leon, Thomas Robert, Mary Elizabeth and Janet Virginia. William E. Edwards is a teacher in the high school at Leipsic and Oliver P. Edwards, who is one of the leading directors of the celebrated Temco Electric Motor Company at Leipsic, married Josephine Niblick, of Decatur, Indiana, and has one daughter, Harriet.

Mr. and Mrs. Edwards reared their children in the faith of the Methodist church and were warmly interested in all the various beneficences of that organization. Mr. Edwards was one of the church's most zealous supporters and took an earnest part in its numerous lines of activity, giving not only liberally of money, but unsparingly of his time and the benefit oi his great business ability, and the local congregation felt a sense of real bereavement upon his passage from this life.

Charles H. Jones

Among the worthy citizens of Columbus Grove, Putnam county, Ohio, whose residence here has contributed in no small degree to the prestige of the county, is Charles H. Jones, a well-known manufacturer. While laboring for his individual interests, he has not forgotten his obligations to the public, and his support of worthy measures and movements can always be depended upon. Although his life has been a busy one, his private affairs making heavy demands upon his time, he has never allowed it to interfere with his obligations as a citizen and a neighbor. Through long years of residence in this locality, he has ever been true to the trusts reposed in him, whether of a public or private nature. His reputation,' in a business way, is unassailable. Possessing in a marked degree those sterling traits which command uniform confidence and regard, he is today honored by all who know him and numbered among the representative men of Putnam county.

Charles H. Jones was born at Troy, Ohio, May 24, 1861. He is a son of Jeremiah F. and Martha Jane (Hajrt) Jones. The Joneses were natives of Wales. John Jones was born in Virginia, and emigrated to Bath county, Kentucky, where he married a Miss Greene. To this union were born eleven children, Oliver, Goldsbury, John, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, George, Zechariah, Elihu, Artimesia, Isabella and Salem. George Jones was born in Bath county, Kentucky, June 9, 1808, and emigrated to Miami county, Ohio, about 1826. He was married in 1829 to Eleanor Gearhart, whose parents were originally natives of Germany. Henry Gerhart was born in Washington county, Maryland, about 1767, and married Barbara Young. They emigrated to Rockbridge county. West Virginia, and were the parents of the following children, John, William, Anna, Elizabeth, Eleanor, Henry, Lewis and Joseph. Eleanor was born in Rockbridge county, West Virginia, September 5, 1810, and emigrated with her parents to Miami county, Ohio, in 18 16. She was married to George Jones in 1829. To this union five children were born, Jeremiah Fuson, Samantha Isabella, Simeon Gearhart, Anna Tabitha and Melyn Baker.

Jeremiah Fuson Jones was born on December 31, 1832. He married Martha Jane Hart, April 10, 1885. The Hart family were natives of New Jersey. John Hart, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was one of the progenitors of the Hart family. Charles Hart was born in New Jersey, about 1770, and married a Miss Chamberlin. He emigrated with his family to Miami county, Ohio, about 1806: He and his wife were the parents of four children, Ellen, William Levi, Wilson and Henry.

William L. Hart was born in New Jersey, in 1810, and emigrated with his parents to Ohio. He was married to Margaret Julien about 1832, a lady of French extraction, of Miami county, Ohio. They were the parentsof several children, Martha Jane, Justin Cyprian, John Lyman Beecher, Charles, Clarence Edgar and Alice, the last two named being twins.

Martha Jane Hart was born in Miami county, Ohio, May 22, 1834, and married Jeremiah Fuson Jones, as stated above. To this union four children were born, Ada Luella, Delia Doris, Charles H. and George Edgar.

Jeremiah Fuson Jones attended the country schools, until he reached the age of eighteen, and then undertook a course in Linden Hill Academy, at New Carlisle, Ohio, at that time, under the direction of Prof. Thomas Harrison, a graduate of Oxford University, England. Mr. Jones remained in this school for two years, and in the fall of 1853, began to teach school in Champaign county, Ohio, after which he taught one year in the schools of Miami county, Ohio, and continued teaching here until 1863, when he removed to Putnam county, where he was employed as superintendent of the public schools, at Delphos. Professor Jones held this position until 1867, when he moved to Anderson, Indiana, and became principal of the first ward school, of that city. He became superintendent of the Pendleton, Indiana, schools in January, 1868, and after one year in that place, returned to Delphos, Ohio, where he was superintendent of the schools for three years. Mr. Jones became superintendent of the schools at Columbus Grove, Ohio, in 1875, which position he filled for some years. Professor Jones retired from the educational field in 1883, having given thirty years of his life to that work. Before leaving the teaching profession in 1879, Mr. Jones had become interested in the manufacture of handles, a business in which he was to become associated with his sons, Charles H. and George E.

The factory at Columbus Grove specializes in second-growth hickory handles for tools and axes. All the handles are shaved and no turned handles are produced. The goods from this factory are sold all over the United States, chiefly on the Pacific coast. The firm name is now J F Jones' Sons and is composed of C. H. Jones and George E. Jones. Charles H Jones became a partner in 1884, and George E. Jones came into the firm about ten years later. About twenty years ago, J. F. Jones retired from the active management of the business and, since that time, has lived in Toledo, Ohio. Charles H. Jones received his education in the schools at Columbus Grove, where he graduated. He has been engaged in the handle business smce 1884. He is president of the Northern Ohio Cooperage & Lumber

Charles H. Jones was married on June 23, 1887, to Alice Rebecca Wyman, who was born and reared at Sidney, Ohio, and who is a daughter of Judge N. R. and Mary Wyman. Her father's name was Nathan Russell Wyman, he was born in Vermont, in 1821, and moved to Ohio in 1840. Nathan Wyman was in business in Sidney, Ohio, for many years, and was prominent as a Democrat, having been probate judge for several terms. He was appointed superintendent of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphan Home at Xenia, Ohio. At the time of his death, August 29, 1886, he was manufacturing buggy spokes in Sidney.

Her mother was mary Hale Wyman, born in New York state in 1822, and died in Sidney, Ohio, November 3, 1905, at the advanced age of eightythree years. To this union two daughters have been born, Edith R. and Jeannette. Edith is a teacher of Latin and German in the Columbus Grove schools. She attended the Western College for Women, at Oxford, Ohio, and then attended Wooster University, where she graduated in 1910. She is also a graduate of the music department of the latter institution. Jeanette is a junior in the University of Wisconsin, at Madison, Wisconsin. She is a member of the university orchestra. Previously, she took one year at Wooster.

Charles H. Jones is a Republican, and served four years as postmaster of Columbus Grove, during President Harrison's administration. He is a prominent Mason, having attained to the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and takes an active interest in the work of that denomination, being a trustee of the church at this time, at Columbus Grove.

George Edgar Jones, the third member of the firm of J. F. Jones' Sons, was born March 24, 1872, at Delphos, Ohio. He grew to manhood at Columbus Grove, and after leaving the public schools, took a business course at Cincinnati, Ohio. He then entered business college, where he spent a short time at Chicago as an electrician. He became a member of the firm of J. F. Jones' Sons about 1894, and has devoted his time to this business since that date.

George Edgar Jones was married on May 22, 1894, to Grace Adelaide Dye, who was born at Columbus Grove, and who is a daughter of Willis Hance and Fannie Adelaide (Dann) Dye. Her father was a native of

Miami county, Ohio, and her mother a native of New Haven, Connecticut. Mrs. Jones' parents moved to Putnam county forty-one years ago, from Sidney, where they had Hved one year after their marriage. They lived at Columbus Grove until the death of Mrs. Dye in 1899, after which Mr. Dye moved to Van Wert, Ohio, and engaged in the grocery business. From there he went to Florida, where he is now living. He was engaged in the grocery business during all the time he was living in Columbus Grove, except ten years, which were devoted to the interests of a milling business.

To Mr. and Mrs. George E. Jones three children have been born, Granville Dye, Robert Edgar and Jeremiah Franklin. Granville is now a junior at the University of Michigan, and prior to going there, was a student at the University of Wooster for one year. George E. Jones and family are active and earnest members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Jones is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, having attained to the thirty-second degree, in that time-honored order. He is also a member of the Nobles of "the Mystic Shrine.

The Jones family is among the best known of Putnam county, they are leaders in the commercial, religious and social life of this section of Putnam and are well worthy of representation in the annals of their county.

Judge Julius Sinclair Ogan

An attorney of Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, and one of the largest landowners of the county, is Judge Julius Sinclair Ogan, who has been a resident of Ottawa since the fall of 1882. He was born and reared in this county, and with the exception of the years which he spent in college, has lived his whole life within its precincts. After graduating from the classical course at Oberlin College, he graduated from the law department of Michigan University, and has been engaged in the active practice of his profession since 1878. He has never been an aspirant for public office, and has never held but one, being appointed judge of the common pleas court for a period of eleven months. He has preferred to give his time and attention to his private practice and to the management of his large landholdings in this county.

Julius S. Ogan, the son of Noah W. and Nancy (Custer) Ogan, was born in Pleasant township, Putnam county, Ohio, June 9, 1850. His father Avas born in Green county, Ohio, October 21, 182 1, a son of Peter Ogan and wife. Noah Ogan came to Putnam county about 1834 with his parents and located in Pleasant township and there he spent his youth and young manhood. After his marriage to Nancy Custer, a daughter of Daniel Custer -and wife, Noah W. Ogan located on. the farm next to that of his father, in Pleasant township, and lived there until the latter part of the fifties, when he moved to Columbus Grove, where he engaged in the grain and grocery business, remaining there until the opening of the Civil War. He enlisted, in September, 1861, and was made captain of Company K, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served for about three years, and was discharged after the battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, on account of total disability, arising from the loss of his left arm. After the close of the war, Noah Ogan returned to Columbus Grove and engaged in various pursuits. He was engaged in the internal revenue service for some time, and also owned a farm near the village. He also practiced law in Columbus Grove, where he spent his declining years, his death occurring there on May 29, 1906. His first wife died about 1869, and some years later he married Emma Elliott. -By his first marriage there were four children, two of whom died in infancy. The others were, Jennie, who became the wife of Daniel Henley, and lived in Cleveland, Ohio, until her death, and Julius S., whose history is here presented. By the second marriage of Noah W. Ogan were born two children, Servitus Wesley and Silas Jerome.

Julius S. Ogan grew to manhood, at Columbus Grove, and after receiving his elementary education in the schools of that village, he entered Oberlin College, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1876. He at once entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and graduated from the law course, in. the spring of 1878. With this excellent training, it is no wonder that he was a successful lawyer, from the beginning. He began practicing at Columbus Grove immediately after his graduation, and he and his father were in partnership in that place, until 1882. In the fall of that year he moved to Ottawa and went in partnership with John M. Sheets, who has since become the attorney-general of Ohio. Mr. Sheets was elected common pleas judge in 1894, and at that time Mr. Ogan went into partnership with William H. Handy, who had just retired from the common pleas bench. Mr. Ogan and Mr. Handy continued in partnership until the latter part of 1905, when Mr. Ogan was appointed judge of the common pleas court. He held this office for about eleven months, and since then has practiced alone.

Mr. Ogan was married on December 25, 1882, to Estella Turner, who was born in Pleasant township, Putnam county, and is the daughter of Will- iam M. and Martha Jane (Kuhn) Turner. Her grandfather was probate judge and died soon after he went out of office. Mr. Ogan and his wife are the parents of five children, four of whom are hving: WilHam Wesley dying at the age of six. The four children are Martha Jane, Myrtle, Mildred and Julius S. Myrtle is the wife of Dr. Joseph Shaw, of Coshocton, Ohio, while the other two children are still living with their parents. Julius is now attending the Ohio State University at Columbus. Mildred married J. F. Donart,. who is in the real estate and loan business at Ottawa.

Mr. Ogan was appointed a member of the Putnam county Building Committee in 1909, which had general charge of the construction of the new court house. He remained on this committee until the court house was finally completed and contributed his full share to the laborious duties of this committee. He is president of the Ottawa Home and Savings Association and one of its largest stockholders. He owns nine hundred and thirty acres of land ia Putnam county, from which he derives a very profitable income annually. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of the blue lodge, chapter and council.

William Henry Handy

A distinguished citizen of Ottawa, Putnam county, Ohio, a veteran of the Civil War and a former judge of the common pleas court, William Henry Handy is eminently entitled to representation in the history of his county.. He enlisted for service in the Civil War, when he was only sixteen years, of age, and served until the fall of 1865. Studying law, after the close of the war, he was admitted to the bar in 1868, and has been in continuous practice since that time. He has been a resident of Ottawa since the spring of 1894, and has taken active part in the life of the county seat of Putnam county since that time.

William Henry Handy, an attorney, of Ottawa, was born on January 29, 1847, in Pike township, Fulton county, Ohio. He is a son of Michael and Mary A. (Bryan) Handy. Michael Handy was born at Danby, Tompkins county. New York, in December, 1812, and was a son of Michael Handy, Sr., an old resident of the same county. The name was originally spelled Hendee, and two brothers with that name came from Wales during the seventeenth century, one settling in Vermont and the other in Virginia.. William H. Handy is a descendant of the Hendee who located in Vermont.

Michael Handy, the father of WilHam Henry, was a school teacher in Canada, but during the period of turmoil in that country was driven out and went to Algonac, Michigan, where he was married on September 22, 1836, to Mary A. Bryan. She, too, had been a teacher in Canada, and had come to Michigan, and she, likewise, was born in Tompkins county, New York, where her husband was born. In the winter of 1839-40, Michael Handy and wife moved from Michigan to Fulton county, Ohio, and located on a farm. He taught school, farmed and also cobbled shoes. He was a very industrious man and taught school by day and pegged shoes by night, and shook with the ague between times. In addition to his teaching school, shoemaking and farming, he also operated a blacksmith shop, did some cabinet making, and at odd times studied law, and it can be seen that he was a man of great industry and of no inconsiderable intellectual ability. After Putnam county was set off as a separate county in 1850 Michael Handy moved to Ottokee, the new county seat, and followed the practice of law. He moved to Wauseon, Ohio, in 187 1, the new county seat of Fulton county, and lived there the remainder of his life. He served as prosecuting attorney of Fulton county, and also as mayor of Wauseon. He died on March 6, 1885, his wife having passed away on April i, 1880.

William Henry Handy was educated in the schools of Fulton county, Ohio. When he was only sixteen years of age, on June 16, 1863, Mr. Handy enlisted in Company H, Eighty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in for the six months' service After serving in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, he was discharged on February 10, 1864. He re-enlisted, April 15, of the same year, in Company H, Sixty-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in continuous service until September 10, 1865, when he was discharged as sergeant. He served in the campaigns against Petersburg and Richmond, and was at Appomattox when Lee surrendered.

Immediately after the close of the war, Mr. Handy returned home and began the study of law with his father. He was admitted to the practice of law, at Toledo, Ohio, in 1868, being twenty-one years of age at the time. He took up the practice of his profession with his father at Ottokee, the county seat of Fulton county, Ohio, and the father and son practiced together until the first of January, 1875. At that time Mr. Handy and Frank H. Hurd started the Democratic Expositor, and operated this newspaper until m March, 1877, when it was sold to J. C. Balmeier. Mr. Handy at once returned to the practice of law at Wauseon, to which place his father had moved, upon the change of the county seat of Fulton county. He was in the continuous practice of his profession, in Wauseon, until February 10, 1885, when he assumed the duties of common pleas judge, to which office he had been appointed by Governor Hoadly. He filled this office by appointment and election, until May 10, 1894, a period of more than nine years, during which time he gave satisfactory service to the citizens of the three counties which composed his jurisdiction. At that time Putnam, Fulton and Henry counties combined in one judicial district. At the expiration of his term of office, in the spring of 1894, Mr. Handy moved to Ottawa, where he has since resided. He resumed the practice of his profession in partnership with A. S. Ogan, and the firm continued together until in December, 1899. At that time Mr. Unverferth became the partner of Mr. Handy.

Mr. Handy was married on October 16, 1869, to Isabelle J. Van Arsdale, who was born at Marseilles, Wyandot county, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Marietta (Norton) Van Arsdale. Her parents moved to Ottokee about 1867, where she was living at the time of her marriage. Mr. Handy and his wife are the parents of three children, Harry L., Clive C. and May B. Harry married Maude Snyder, and is a locomotive engineer. Clive C. is an attorney in the legal department of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway Company, at Cleveland. He married Herma Orth, of Wauseon, and has one son, William O. May B. is a stenographer, and makes her home in Ottawa with her parents.

Mr. Handy has long been a leading factor in Democratic politics, but he has never held any other position than that of judge of the common pleas court. He is a Free and Accepted Mason and has attained the Royal and Select Masters degree. He is a genial citizen, fond of a good joke, and well known, not only throughout Putnam county, but throughout this section of the state.

William T. Cole

A veteran of the Civil War and a business man of Leipsic for a quarter of a century, who was the postmaster of that city, William T. Cole had been connected with the history of Putnam county since 1869. He enlisted in the Civil War when he was sixteen years of age, and after his enlistment had expired re-enlisted and served until the close of the war. He came to this county in 1869 and after farming for three years, located in Leipsic, where he has clerked in various stores and engaged in business for himself for more than twenty-five years. He had been the postmaster of Leipsic since 1907.

William T. Cole, the son of Alonzo and Sarah (Caldwell) Cole, was born in what was then called Frankleton, now West Columbus, Franklin county, Ohio, November 9, 1847. His father was born in Vermont and came to Columbus in childhood with his parents. His mother was born in Franklin county, Ohio, and was a daughter of William Caldwell and wife. His father was a life-long farmer.

Alonzo Cole was a school teacher in early life, and afterward engaged in farming. He moved to Delaware county, Ohio, while William T. was yet a child and remained there until 1871, when he moved to Putnam county. He bought a farm two miles east of Leipsic and farmed there until his declining years, when he retired and moved into Leipsic, where he died. Alonzo Cole and wife were the parents of nine children, Oscar, deceased; Charles, of Leipsic; Malissa, deceased, who was the wife of Justus Butler; Elisa, deceased, who was the wife of Mason Beardsley; Mary, the widow of George Whitman, who now lives with her daughter at Wheeling, West Virginia; William T., of Leipsic, deceased, and three children who died in infancy.

William T. Cole was reared in Delaware county, Ohio, and was living there at the time of the opening of the Civil War. He was large for his age and, although only sixteen, succeeded in becoming a member of Company H, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served with this company for four months around Washington, D. C, and was then discharged with his company. He returned home and went to school one winter and in the following March enlisted again in Company B, One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was sent with his regiment to Winchester, Virginia, where the regiment was divided up and his company sent to Fort Federal Hill, near Baltimore, and he remained there the seven months which elapsed until the close of the war.

After the close of the Civil War, Mr. Cole returned to his home in Delaware county and worked on a farm and in a saw-mill. He married in 1867 and located in Delaware county, but in 1869, he and his brother, Oscar, and two brothers-in-law, Justus Butler and George Whitman, came to Putnam county where the four of them bought a half section of land, two miles east of Leipsic. Mr. Cole clejjred his share of the land, but only lived on it for three years. He then moved to Leipsic and engaged in business, and until he became postmaster in 1907, he was either clerking in stores in the city, or engaged in business for himself. He was commissioned postmaster of Leipsic, December 16, 1907, and was re-appointed in 19 12 for four more years.

Mr. Cole was married on December 29, 1867, to Olive Critchet, who was born in Licking county, Ohio, November 18, 1851, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Susan (Slutz) Critchet. Her father was a farmer and for forty years was a justice of the peace in Licking county. To this union were born four children, two dying in infancy, and two sons, Alvin M. and Charles Ray, who are still surviving. Alvin M. was born on December 23. 1874, and is now assistant postmaster of Leipsic. He married Nellie Schroeder. Charles R., born July 23, 1880, is now a clerk in the postoffice. Charles married Nettie Altekruse, of Ottawa, and they have two daughters, Margaret and Thelma.

Mr. Cole and his wife and son, Ray, attended the Disciples church. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias. He had long been identified with the Republican party, and has served as township treasurer and township assessor, rendering his fellow citizens faithful and efficient service in both capacities. William T. Cole died on February 27, 1915.

Although William Lewis Werner, M. D., has been a resident of Leipsic, Putnam county, Ohio, since the spring of 1908, he has already built up a large practice in the city and surrounding community. He is a man of exceptional training, along medical lines, as is attested by the number of diplomas from many of the most eminent schools of medicine in the United States. Not only has Doctor Werner met with pronounced success as a physician, but he has also taken an active part in the civic life of his community.

William L. Werner, M. D., the son of Andrew and Catherine (Roth) Werner, was born at Eglon, Preston county. West Virginia, November 27, 1868. His father was born in Pennsylvania, and for many years engaged in the carpentering and contracting business and, in 1888, became the proprietor of a summer resort hotel at Eglon, West Virginia, which he managed until his wife's death, in 1906. A few years later he married again, and is now living a retired life at Kingwood, West Virginia. He and his wife are members of the English Lutheran church. Andrew Werner served during the Civil War in the Union army.

Doctor Werner was reared in Preston county. West Virginia, where as a youth he engaged in mercantile pursuits for a short time. Later, he engaged in the same business, at Gormania, in Grant county. West Virginia, for a tiine. Doctor Werner graduated from the Thomas (West Virginia) high school in 1896, and in the following year entered the Eclectic Medical Institute, at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating from that institution, in April, 1901.

Doctor Werner really began his practice before he completed his college course. At the end of his second year, he became an assistant to Dr. B. Baker, at Thomas, West Virginia, and at the end of his third year, was admitted to the practice of his profession in West Virginia. After he graduated in 1901, he returned to Thomas, where he continued the practice of medicine, until 1907. He built up a good practice in that place and became president of the State Eclectic Medical Association and a member of the pension examining board of his county. He was also physician for the poor in the Fairfax and Davis districts, and president of the county board of health.